Well i got it for about 2 days ago.

I don't know why but here in Greece they released it quickly.

Anyway it's 1st of June now and here it is.

The game is great.

The graphics are amazing just like Legend.

The controls pretty much the same.

The wall walk its pretty easy exept if you want to jump vertical on the wall but its doable.

The game should be better for those who have not played the original. I mean I go around and I know pretty much what to do.

For example when in St Francis Folly and trying to get to Poseidon Atlas etc keys , for first timers should be much more difficult.

The auto grab when its off its not handy with the new controls.

I use the mouse and keyboard and I need my fingers to push WASD crouch , grapple , action so I dont have any fingers to spare.

Any way my opinion so far is this.

MAKE REMAKES OF II , III and of course THE LAST REVELATION.

I MEAN IS IT DIFFICULT TO HAVE 4 MORE GAMES WITH THE SAME ENGINE EVERY SIX MONTHS ?

i am settiing out now to buy it and will edit this later hopefully let me just say I GOT IT I GOT IT BUT i ran out of money and had to walk home that took up a hour of TR time anyway i got the collectors edition for the same price i got Legend. the pack comes with game book soundtrack and bonus disc im amazed. The discs are hard to get out but the game looks great

Edited June 1, 200719 yr by Fusion

heh, lucky

I ordered mine a few days ago and really hoped I would get it on launch...

still, the anticipation is building! EuroGamer gave it 90% !

I was replaying the original, but I think I should stop now, thanks to Boxer2's advice.

i agree the game is great!! i baought it and have been playing this whole afternoon

i just LOVE it

Just made it to Egypt

Oh My God

Its amazing

So far This is the game which eidos shoyld have released right after Chronicles instead of AOD.

And I would like to share a thought about the comparisons of the original and this one.

Nowdays its very difficult to be impressed like we all did with the first one.

I mean its not the first 3D game any more. TR cant invent the wheel as it once did.

Every one of us remembers the feeling of discovering the original and that feeling cant be back.

Its the feeling of the fisrt kiss , first laid , first of every thing.

In this particular field NOTHING compares to the original.

But in almost everything else this one (not Legend) is far better than any other TR.

CD & Eidos keep reading these forums and please...............realease at least 3 more adventures with this attitude within the next 1,5 years.

CD & Eidos keep reading these forums and please...............realease at least 3 more adventures with this attitude within the next 1,5 years.

LOL i wish they brought along a remake of TR 2 and 3 but i don't think it will happen. and though most of her adventures are great and everyone would like to see them remade... it is time to move on to a new adventure (even if the new game gets on where Legend ended probably)

There are alot of references to other TR games if you read the books in Croft Manor "The dagger of Xian" "The wreck of the Maria Doria has never been found..." maybe its a clue like Natla crates in Legend. Sorry if this should be in Spoiler tags

Edited June 2, 200719 yr by Fusion

Here's my review, hopefully CD and Eidos will read it (I can't find a way to contact them )

Firstly, may I just say a huge Thank You to the Design and Music team for TR:A. The levels are fantastically made, and made the game everything that I imagined it could have been when I played TR1 for the first time all those years ago. Secondly, wow to the Music Design. I actually love the music in this TR. It's got the fear factor in it, the 'wow look at that amazing Tomb' music, the music that hits you deep in your stomach, and the music that gets your heart racing. Love it, love it, love it!!

Combat design has a lot to be desired in my opinion. I am glad that they have improved it in Tomb Raider Anniversary, however what I do like about the combat is that it is somewhat individual to other games out there. Sure bullet time has been done before but the use of it this time was actually quite good. My only gripe with the combat is that it just feels like a bit of an add-on rather than part of Lara's adventuring skills. It can get a bit repetitive sometimes. However, I like the fact that CD have created alternative ways to defeating bosses this time, whereas just shooting them kills them.

Finally, since I haven't completed the game yet I can't give a full review, however thank you to CD for making the game so atmospheric. I have been shocked 3 times so far, and that is a first in any Tomb Raider game since TR2. I actually felt scared during some moments, notably Democles.

Anyhow, I cannot wait for TR8 CD, you've done Lara proud!

MsC

MSC totally agree with the music and depth that it gives but i think the combat is seriously better on ps2 the dodges and jumps we saw in videos is achievable on ps2 and looks great

Well, I received the game this morning!

The graphics of the game are nice, but then everyone knows that. I did however find them overly dark and gloomy in places. I liked the references in Lara's Home to some previous locations, it was a nice touch

So far I have done only a couple of Peru levels. I wasn't overwhelmed to be honest. The levels are quite nicely done, but dark. The environments are as promised- reminiscent of the original, yet new. I think my main problem with the game is it seems a lot more linear than the old block based ones. Sure, the blocks were, er, blocky but you felt that in the room/environment you could get to every nook and cranny. In Anniversary there is only one way around the room, usually involving shimmying round some fairly obvious ledges repeatedly, then doing a flip-jump thing on a pole, then back onto more ledges....

I guess I am sounding quite negative. I did enjoy the experience, but not as much as I enjoyed the original. It can't be the rose tinted glasses of the past as I played the original for the first time only about a week ago.... Anyway. Its early days in the game.

There are alot of references to other TR games if you read the books in Croft Manor "The dagger of Xian" "The wreck of the Maria Doria has never been found..." maybe its a clue like Natla crates in Legend. Sorry if this should be in Spoiler tags

yeah your right about that... i can't remember who posted it but a while ago someone posted that there also will be a remake of TR2. but i mean if they would remake every TR it will only cost them money and all and they won't be able to come up with anew TR... just a remake of TR 1 will be it i guess. but i don't mind as long as they will bring along TR anyways i will be happy XD

Well

I am at Egypt now and all I can say is that the atmosphere there is something else.

You ll be thrilled.

The only difference from the original is that the KEY and the DOOR are quite close when in the old TR the key was here and the door was at the other side of the level.

Or we pulled a lever , cutscene a door opens but we didnt know were it is.

TR was linear too but the doors or the keys were all around.

I've been playing the demo for a few days now, and based on that, I'm not going to buy the full game. Some pros and cons, based purely on the demo:

+ Graphics. Looks sweet and runs pretty decently even on my machine (A64 3000+, GF6600GT, 1Gb 400MHz DDR)

+ Sounds

+ Music. Just perfect.

+ Atmosphere. Even in the short demo you really get into the 'TR-feeling'.

+ Controls. Lara moves smoothly and even the 'hard' moves are relatively easy.

That's about it

- Combat. Two things ruin them. a) Absolutely useless camera. It manages to show everything except the thing you should see, ie the enemies. No, I don't want to see a close up of Lara's face, I want to see the bear coming at me. Horrible controls in battle. Umm, you have to rapidly tap the MB1 to shoot even with pistols? You have no idea where Lara is going if you press any direction button (due to the camera).

- Moving and jumping. How are you supposed to know, where you can jump and where you can't? In previous games it was so clear what ledge you could reach and where you could climb up. Now it's more like trial and error, and what ruins that tactic, is that...

- there's NO load/save. I really hope that this is just in the demo...

- Lots of controls not explained in the readme or ingame. How difficult is it to add a text in the options menu that with jump button you also swim up? And I still haven't figured out how to climb up/down ropes. Of course, with the full game you'd have a manual, but still...

Overall nice try, but the controls really need some major improvements.

I've been playing the demo for a few days now, and based on that, I'm not going to buy the full game. Some pros and cons, based purely on the demo:

+ Graphics. Looks sweet and runs pretty decently even on my machine (A64 3000+, GF6600GT, 1Gb 400MHz DDR)

+ Sounds

+ Music. Just perfect.

+ Atmosphere. Even in the short demo you really get into the 'TR-feeling'.

+ Controls. Lara moves smoothly and even the 'hard' moves are relatively easy.

That's about it

- Combat. Two things ruin them. a) Absolutely useless camera. It manages to show everything except the thing you should see, ie the enemies. No, I don't want to see a close up of Lara's face, I want to see the bear coming at me. Horrible controls in battle. Umm, you have to rapidly tap the MB1 to shoot even with pistols? You have no idea where Lara is going if you press any direction button (due to the camera).

- Moving and jumping. How are you supposed to know, where you can jump and where you can't? In previous games it was so clear what ledge you could reach and where you could climb up. Now it's more like trial and error, and what ruins that tactic, is that...

- there's NO load/save. I really hope that this is just in the demo...

- Lots of controls not explained in the readme or ingame. How difficult is it to add a text in the options menu that with jump button you also swim up? And I still haven't figured out how to climb up/down ropes. Of course, with the full game you'd have a manual, but still...

Overall nice try, but the controls really need some major improvements.

Well you can save and load in the actual game. Demos never let you do that do they?

It's fairly clear most of the time where you can jump and move to. You don't want it too obvious and that has not normally been the case except I think in Legend.

The controls are explained on screen during the game. I haven't read the manual but I'm fairly sure they would be in there. The rope thing is explained in the game.

I don't recall seeing Lara's face when shooting enemies. You are usually behind her unless you turn the camera round. I don't find the combat too different from the original game except for the rage thing which I do find a bit tricky.

I wouldn't let your negatives put you off the game.

Mary

^^^^ Agreed. Besides, most of the game is about tomb raiding and not combat shooting.

If anyone has the pc version, use a gamepad instead; I will.

Hi all,

Even though I didn't finish the game yet (finishing the Sanctuary of scion now) here are some thoughts:

Most of you referred to the best things the game has and I agree with them. But there are some things that I consider really important:

- The controls - I've never had problems with the controls. I actually think I'm quite good and fast using them with a keyboard. But some moves are too hard, in my opinion, for a PC user. E.g. the dodge move. I'm playing the game on hard and some of these moves are impossible, while with the controller, they're very easy. Something to think about, anyway....

- The artifacts and the relics - Quite pleased with the meaning they gave to the relics. Much better than finding a useless dragon, for example. But the level of dificulty is very incoherent, in my opinion. Some relics are VERY easy to find and to pick up, and then you have insane timed runs, with a series of insane jumps with NO checkpoints, just for an artifact, which are 'less' important than the relics. And the only checkpoint you have half way through a timed run, that I can think of now, you need to pull the switch each time. So, what's the point in having one checkpoint half way through a timed run if, in case you die, you need to go back and pull a switch? Doesn't make much sense to me... the level of difficulty isn't balanced.

Anyway, that's about it for now... I might edit my post once I finish the game.

BPanther

<...> some moves are too hard, in my opinion, for a PC user. E.g. the dodge move. I'm playing the game on hard and some of these moves are impossible, while with the controller, they're very easy.

I can see that. Perhaps try re-mapping the controls? I play it on the PS2, but I seem to remember someone else on this forum mentioning that they re-mapped the controls and found it much easier to do the dodge move. I admit to not remembering specifics, but there was some combination like left-Shift/Ctrl/something-or-other. Maybe see how that works?

<...> the level of dificulty <for finding relics> is very incoherent, in my opinion. Some relics are VERY easy to find and to pick up, and then you have insane timed runs, with a series of insane jumps with NO checkpoints, just for an artifact, which are 'less' important than the relics. And the only checkpoint you have half way through a timed run, that I can think of now, you need to pull the switch each time. So, what's the point in having one checkpoint half way through a timed run if, in case you die, you need to go back and pull a switch? Doesn't make much sense to me... the level of difficulty isn't balanced.

I definitely agree with that. What I would think of for an answer to the placement of checkpoints is perhaps that the checkpoints aren't triggered solely in the run for the relic/artifact. Perhaps it's another checkpoint that would be more useful during another part of the level, but just happened to be triggered then. I'm really not sure, but that's what makes sense to me.

I can see that. Perhaps try re-mapping the controls? I play it on the PS2, but I seem to remember someone else on this forum mentioning that they re-mapped the controls and found it much easier to do the dodge move. I admit to not remembering specifics, but there was some combination like left-Shift/Ctrl/something-or-other. Maybe see how that works?

I myself have remapped the keys to combat = left shift and crouch/roll/dodge = spacebar (the right mouse button is now mapped to jump). I don't think I'd be able to manage the dodge move with the dodge key being shift, it's a bit awkward to reach for that but fine for keeping pressed as the combat key.

Quite likely, then, you were the one who had posted elsewhere about that remapping, whose post I read.

Well, without going deeply into the issues that have already been discussed (i figured we could start some more threads on some of the discussion points... please feel free to start them if you'd like to discuss some of the things mentioned in more depth like the controls, wall running, etc), I really enjoyed that game in general. I thought it was excellently made, the balance between keeping old elements and adapting them to the new engine was done perfectly, and if I was a reviewer I'd give it 8.5/10. It is now my second favourite TR game. Great job CD Long live Tomb Raider!

I agree, this game is really awesome

There were a few bits that could have been improved upon, but for the most part playing TR:A was an extremely enjoyable experience. It's just an absolutely brilliant Tomb Raider game, and I hope that CD takes a look at it and makes TR8 a lot more like Anniversary than like Legend.

Well, i love the game, i think its definately better than legend and possibly the best since the original, but the original will always be my favourite because its original, and brings back memories.

I liked that it was more about exploring and not so linear, also the way toby deloped the characters better and that you didnt have actual boss fights with them, the interactive with larson killing him was very emotional it literally made you realise you was killing someone, it doesnt with legends cloned henchmen. the grapple wall run was OK but she seems to have a mind of her own when jumping off, i found it hard to control.

Some parts of the game werent very well laid out however, like the atlantis level climbing up to top was very hard, and the hallway traps in egypt could be very hard it kept missing poles and stuff, and i got the feeling it wasnt meant to be as hard as it was i just couldnt control her properly.

I found the adrenaline dodge fairly easy to get the hang of but the combat overall could sometimes get confusing and dodgy camera angles, which needs to be worked on for the next game.

The thing i really hate and want them to completely get rid of is the time trials, the whole thing is pointless anyway you do a few time trials and get cheats, which you dnt need after completing it, they should just have codes to put in if people are struggling. I dont like the feeling of being rushed through the game, and the fact that you can do a lot of levels ibn like 6 - 10 minutes isnt a good thing in my opinion, it makes you realise the game isnt as long or big as you think it is and takes away the exploring side. Plus with them timed traps and things that you cant control and just get through with sheer luck it makes the time trial pretty much impossible.

I liked the boss fights, except the mutant at the end he was too easy, but natla was hard so kind of balanced out. I wouldve liked more inventive ways of beating them like they did with the centaurs though.

I loved the extras like the commentries, the way they made them look like save crystals was a nice touch and the commentries themselves provided some good insight and answered a few questions i thought when playing through it. I would've liked a couple more costumes like the aod/ movie one maybe even larson. The classic lara is great though.

I give the game 9 / 10

Edited June 25, 200719 yr by ImBatman

Completed it last Wednesday. Here are my thoughts:

In some parts, the task was easy to do. In the latter sections, it was hard, if not downright impossible. It seems to me that the objective was to start you off slow, get used to what you're doing, then throw in additional things, a bit at a time, as you progressed. Then they give it all to you at the end. By that time, you're ready, but it'll be a hard challenge, so patience ends up being the key.

The graphics are fantastic, as is the layout. I wish they were able to create the original exactly with the new engine, but this will do nicely. Throwing in some new surprises definitely made up for it. It's definitely non-linear in a lot of spots, so it's piqued my curiosity.

The combat is hellish. I never was a fan of cameras moving independently of the character as it created some confusion and disorientation. That's always a Bad Thing when you're trying to survive. "Third person" point-of-view is nice, but I still have a "first person" mentality. I'd like to see what I'm shooting at.

Saving is a pain. Limited places cuts down on your options. I prefer the old unlimited saves, anywhere at any time. Dying and then having to go far back and run through a ton of stuff again makes it agonizing.

The story is definitely better when it's this detailed. I felt like I was really involved in this. I got to know the antagonists a lot better this time.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, I give this an 8, and that's from an "old man who played the original" perspective.

My thoughts:

Of course the graphics are amazing, as with Legend. The combat irritated me, especially when involving multiple enemies. I like how they implanted “rag doll” effects for when you kill an animal, and they “roll” across the ground. In Legend, they just stood there and made a noise, then fell. The controls sometime irritated me, when I wanted her to jump or move left, she could go right or any which way she wanted too. The back jump is sometimes hard to do.

The story is a lot better than the original. In the original, (this is in the commentary), they couldn’t really put a “whole story” in the game, since they had limited space. The remake fixes that, IMO. Lara has emotion (on her face), in TR1, that was impossible, except in the FMV’s. They were also able to add more “bits” to the story to make better sense (and to keep it synch with Legend).

Examples: (SPOILERS)

• Lara already knows Pierre (in TR1 she didn’t).
• She already knows about St. Francis Folly, apparently from her father’s notebooks.
• She already knows about the Scion, again apparently from her father’s notebooks.
• The made the “entrance” to Natla Technologies Office more “realistic”. In TR1, where would she have gotten the blow torch??
• Instead of raiding her office, she just looks at Natla’s video logs. A lot better, IMO.
• More “Screen time” for the rulers Qualopec and Tihocan. You get a better idea of why Natla is expelled from their sacred order and condemned.
• Natla wants Lara to join the Seventh Age and be the 3^rd ruler. In TR1 there was no such thing mentioned. Natla just wanted her dead after she did her “job”.
• The emotion when she killed Larson. TR1 – again she had no emotion about that.
• Lara can’t hold her breath as long as in TR1. She can hold her breath as long as a average person could in TRA.
• Lara’s jumps are shorter, more like a average person could jump, then in TR1 (and most of the other ones too.
• Kold and The Kid as they are now named in TRA have more screen time. They have also taken down the underground skate park, which was quite odd – in TRA.

To me this is like a prequel to Legend. TRA – Legend – Legend II. Seems like they are starting over with the franchise.